Old Dogs New Tricks Territory?

[leeave96 490]

I tried this great experiment over the past couple of years trying Cub Cadet and Simplicity garden tractors,in addition to my fleet of Wheelhorse tractors. Enjoying the new tractors of different types, however my expertise seems to lie with the Wheelhorse or at least that's where my memory is - LOL!

These Cub Cadet's and Simplicity tractors are nice old iron tractors, however sometimes they throw me a curve. It seems like I know the Wheelhorse tractors like the back of my hand. No surprises with the Wheelhorse.

I'm thinking that this experiment may need to start winding down. While I like the old tractors and tinkering with them, at the end of the day I'm more comfortable with the Wheelhorse tractors and confident of my ability to fix them. What compounds this notion of working solely on Wheelhorse tractors is that the Wheelhorse is very very simple to work on and they are really easy to operate. In addition it's great that the implements from one Wheelhorse model to the next fit the tractors that I have so I can grab one mower deck from one machine or one front blade from another machine etc. etc. and I know I have common parts across platforms - not so much so with the other old iron tractors I have.

So I may be crossing old dog new tricks territory were you can't teach an old dog new tricks. It may be time to standardize on the Wheelhorse and get on with life.

Anyone else suffer from this old dog new tricks deal as we get older and a little bit longer in the tooth - LOL!

Thanks!

Bill

[Wheel-N-It 2,976]

I'm right there with you Bro'

For those of you who are not, I have a CC1650, CC106, and JD 140h3 for sale. Also an Allis Chalmers B.

Got to keep the old Simplicity 728 though. That one was Dads.

[AMC RULES 37,196]

  You gotta separate the wheat from the chaff...my  brother.     

[welderman85 53]

I'm not to old of a dog at 28 but I'm with you. I had a few different cubs,case and a sears or two. I always keep my heard and get rid of the rest.

[squonk 43,844]

I'm right there with you Bro'

For those of you who are not, I have a CC1650, CC106, and JD 140h3 for sale. Also an Allis Chalmers B.

Got to keep the old Simplicity 728 though. That one was Dads.

"B's"are cool. I got my Dad a 39 with belly mower for his huge yard. Converted it to electric start. Sweet runnin machine

[546cowboy 302]

First off, I do not consider myself a collector so let's get that straight from the start. When I first got into doing riding mowers, you notice I didn't say GT's, it didn't matter much what I picked up. I put an ad on CL for old unwanted riding mowers and I got a lot of different brands for little cost or free. Say what you want about Craftsman's but they are easy to get running and sell. You could almost always get one of those older B/S engines going in an hour or so. Anyway I have a friend who used to do a lot of Cubs who had a few W/H's and the first one I got was from him. It was a 1990 520H with a broken rod and that started the addiction for me.

 

It seems the model thing runs in cycles. As much as I like Wheel Horse there are times around here when they are few and far between. There is another thing you should know about why I got started in the first place. I needed some extra income (don't we all) when I retired and started to get Social Security checks. Seems like I had a run on Simplicity deals a year or two but they weren't the older collectable ones. Every time I found one at a bargain price and just couldn't pass them up because they sold well. I wasn't particularly comfortable working on them mainly because these newer tractors are junk and these overhead valve verticals are worse.

 

There are some I will not even consider buying, JD's are at the top of that list ( they do make good parts tractors ), anything with a Kawasaki engine and I have never been a Tecumseh fan, and then it better be in a Wheel Horse. I guess what I mean is you have to do what you are comfortable with and for me that is Wheel Horses but you have to work with what you get no matter how old you are. See you can teach an old dog new tricks. Sometimes it's the challenge to see if you can!

[Tankman 3,523]

I've owned a few Cubs and Bolens tube frames. Sold 'em quick.

 

Livin' on SS I'm not learning new tricks, Stallions for me, Horses for all!

 

My sons now in their 40's remember the good old days when we first were hit with WHA. Mom loved the RD deck and "her" sweeper. Kept the grounds **** 'N Span while I worked.

 

This Old Dog has Wheel Horse Addiction and, don't mind at all. Hey, I like corralling the Horses! 

 

PS. Most think I'm nuts, like you Dudes in these forums.

Edited September 17, 2013 by Tankman

[Tankman 3,523]

My 1st Horse was delivered piece meal in the early 70's.

 

A friend stopped by my new place and laughed when he saw the Craftsman "thingy" I purchased new.

 

He left, returned with an old Horse. That's when I came down with WHA.

 

The Horses are truly simple, engineered, keep on tickin' regardless of task. Was a shame to see the Stallions become history. Of course forum members are grooming and keeping their Herds ready; snow, dirt, grasses, gardens, whatever can be thought of. 

Edited September 17, 2013 by Tankman

[546cowboy 302]

Liked that sooooooo well he posted it twice.

[sdwyer41 8]

I have only one WH, my first one, and I have had it for a couple of weeks now.  I have owned a few riding mowers, Crapsman, Snapper, Murray, Some Green thing (not JD) that was given to me.  I can tune them up, sharpen blades, change oil, lube, but most I couldn't even figure out how to get the deck off of them.    On the green thing, I lost a bolt on the mower deck engagment mechanism, it never mowed again.  Gave it to another guy.  It was rediculous, spacers and washers, nuts and bolts, Oh my.  My Dad has a Crapsman GT4000?  It has had the engine replaced twice.  About the time the warranty starts to run out, the engine goes.  Then he has to buy the extended warranty to get it fixedt.  (Cheaper than the new engine)  We took the deck off of that, my dad, my brother (Mechanic, Small engine Mechanic, owns his own garage and small enbine shop), and I.  Put a snow plow on it.  My dad and I can't figure out how to switch it back lol.  Will have to have my brother come back to do it, I guess.  I have had the deck off of my 310-8 twice, taken the PTO clutch off of it, disassembled it, put it back ogether, and put it back on.  It all still works.  No wonder they have continued to work for so many years, easy to maintain, easy to work on and built strong as.... Well... A horse. I love the looks of the old AC 720s and the like, but I really like this little horse I have.

[Tankman 3,523]

Liked that sooooooo well he posted it twice.

Fixed. Oops!

 

Guess I have too much time on my hands. Just fed the Koi and checked the Herd's fuel and oil levels.

 

Now, mow 'd lawn tomorrow, weather looks good.